Cedar Crossing Casino to open in Cedar Rapids on November 19

Cedar Crossing Casino in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is scheduled to open on November 19, 2026. Iowa Racing and Gaming Administrator Tina Eick said construction is largely finished and regulators are now inspecting the casino’s 700 slot machines, along with table games, floor layouts and other technical systems.

Regulatory checks focus on machines and controls

Eick said inspectors are examining every slot machine bound for the gaming floor to verify software approvals and to check internal safeguards.

"We are looking at every slot machine that goes onto that floor," Eick said, explaining regulators inspect security controls to ensure no unauthorised changes can be made without their review.

The inspection regime covers software approvals, hardware security, table-game equipment, and the facility’s floor plans. The casino has submitted a security plan outlining its policies and procedures, and recruitment and training for security personnel are underway.

Licence history and launch timeline

The project follows a lengthy licensing process: the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission rejected licence applications for Cedar Rapids in 2014 and 2017 before approving the Cedar Crossing project in February 2025. With construction largely complete, the operator is targeting the November 19 opening and moving through final technical inspections.

Scam warning and operator response

Eick warned that an online scammer has been using the new casino’s name to mislead the public and stressed that the website claiming to be Cedar Crossing’s online casino is fraudulent, noting that Iowa does not permit online casino gambling. The casino’s operators have published information on their website distancing themselves from the scam. Eick urged consumers not to share personal information or send money to unauthorised platforms claiming to offer online casino games in Iowa.

For details on the casino floor and game mix see the casino section; read regulatory obligations referenced in the regulation overview. Security staffing and protocols are described in the submitted regulation materials and the operator’s public notices.